Contact Lenses 2, 15 credits

Passed results of at least 55 credits from the Optometry programme's semester 1 and 2 and at least 45 credits from semester 3 and 4.

Students who have failed their VIL (clinical training opportunity) after demonstrating serious deficiencies in understanding, skill, or professional attitude, and done this to the degree that client or patient safety or client/ patient/ employer trust for the healthcare have been jeopardised, will qualify for a new VIL opportunity only after completion of an individual action plan.

After the course, the student should be able to
1) identify and list contact lens materials
2) describe maintenance, cleaning and handling of soft and rigid lenses
3) ascertain the needs of and fit any type of soft lenses
4) ascertain the needs of and fit any type of rigid lenses
5) perform a complete fitting of any contact lens, which implicates the ability to apply and analyse results from pre-fitting measurements
6) identify, reason and reflect on issues of ethics, sustainable development and equal opportunities
7) identify, reason and reflect on her own and other professions' role in contributing to sustainable eye health care development. 

In addition to the above the student should, in a level-suited optometry-, care- and scientific perspective, be able to
8) show high ability to search, collect and evaluate information at a scientific level and critically discuss phenomenas, issues and situations
9) demonstrate the ability to follow the knowledge development and identify her need of additional knowledge acquisition to continuously develop her competence
10) show high ability to interpret scientific articles, critically review and reflect upon the significance of the results, as well as reflect upon new scientific data in relation to previously published data
11) show ability to formulate scientific text in writing.

Aim 8-11 should be seen in relation to the document "Vetenskaplig strimma Optikerprogrammet" (Scientific Thread in Study Programme of Optometry).

The course aims at providing knowledge of different contact lens types, indications and contra indications for wearing contact lenses, fitting contact lenses and different contact lens accessories. This knowledge should enable the student to fit contact lenses as correction for various types of visual defects and in preventive treatment, give patient instructions and make follow-up checks after contact lens fittings. Further, the course covers contact lens materials, contact lens optics, principles of contact lens fitting, patient examination, ordination and patient instruction, contact lenses when treating eye diseases, complications in wearing contact lenses, contact lenses and microbiology.

In addition to this the course is part of the teaching of general scientific knowledge within the program. In relation to teaching of general scientific knowledge, the students continue to broaden their knowledge related to the scientific base of optometry, science and proven experience and scientific communication. They also develop their knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities, their judgement, scientific thought and attitude, in relation to optometry and a lifelong learning. The teaching of general scientific knowledge is described in a separate document.

The course stretches over the Optometry programme's semester 5 and 6 and is divided into to the following five modules:

The module includes VIL and formative assessment of clinical proficiencies and patient care.

The module includes assignments in KI's virtual learning environment.

The module includes VIL and formative assessment of clinical proficiencies and patient care.

The module includes theoretical understanding and renewal of the topic-specific contents of the course.

The module includes assignments in KI's virtual learning environment, the programme's scientific thread and written assignments.

The course includes self-studies, demonstrations, test, laboratory sessions, theoretical overviews (e.g. lectures, seminars, flipped classroom, case methods), practical/ clinical exercises (VIL), and written assignments. The students are given a possibility to train practical skills but must take a great responsibility themselves.

Some course elements are compulsory, see heading "Examination".

The course is examined in the following way:

Module 1, Clinical work 1
a) continuous examination of clinical proficiencies and patient care in connection with VIL (Fail/Pass)
b) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires Pass on examination assignment a) and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 2, Scientific development 1
a) compulsory assignments in KI's virtual learning environment
b) compulsory written assignments

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 3, Clinical work 2
a) continuous examination of clinical proficiencies and patient care in connection with VIL (Fail/Pass)
b) case examination (Fail/Pass)
c) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires Pass on examination assignment a) and b) and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 4, Theoretical understanding
a) written examination (Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction)
Re-examination may take place orally.
b) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. The grade Pass requires Pass on written examination, and fulfillment of compulsory course elements. Pass with distinction requires Pass with distinction on written examination, and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 5, Scientific development 2
a) compulsory assignments in KI's virtual learning environment
b) compulsory written assignments
c) compulsory seminars and demonstrations as per schedule, a part of the scientific thread in the programme

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. The grade Pass requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Course grade
The entire course is given the grade Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
The grade Pass on the entire course requires Pass on all modules 1-5. Pass with distinction requires Pass on module 1, 2, 3 and 5, and Pass with distinction on module 4.

Absence from or unfullfillment of compulsory course element
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Guidelines in case of failure of VIL
The examiner may, with immediate effect, interrupt a student's clinical placement (or equivalent) if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up stating which activities and tests are required before the student is qualified for a new clinical placement on the course.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Course evaluation takes place in accordance with KI's local guidelines. Compilation of the students' answers in course questionnaires and the course coordinator's analysis of these are published on KI's public course web.

Teaching in English may occur.